Deadwood is a small, historic city just 32 miles from Mount Rushmore. The entire city has been designated as a National Landmark, and the area is filled museums, saloons, gambling halls, daily re-enactment shows, and more, making it the perfect destination for a day trip on your Mount Rushmore vacation. Deadwood was founded illegally in Lakota Indian territory by Colonel George Custer when he found gold in the area. Soon after a gold rush was in full swing, bringing with it lawlessness and huge population growth. In its heyday, Deadwood boasted a population of over 5,000 people, and today the population stands closer to 1,300. From prostitution to gambling, Deadwood was the postcard image of wild abandon, but the town did not fully achieve notoriety until the murder of Wild Bill Hickock. Deadwood began its decline from a wild town to a more civilized one when the economy evolved to one that was based on mining rather than gold, and when a smallpox epidemic swept through the city decreasing the population significantly. Deadwood received its National Landmark designation in 1961.
When you visit Deadwood today, there are a number of sights you will want to make time to see. Historic Adams House is an 1892-built, Queen Anne style house that is filled with period artifacts and antiques. The house has exchanged hands over the years, having been used as a residence by a prominent businessman and a local mayor, then later as a bed and breakfast before it became open for public viewing. You can also take a tour of the Broken Boot Gold Mine. With a guided tour, you can walk through the same shafts that miners used over one hundred years ago during the gold rush. Explore the history of Deadwood from 1923 through the present with a tour of the Days of '76 Museum. Here you will see antique cars and carriages, photographs, artifacts, and much more.
Each evening during the summer, you can watch a vivid re-enactment of the murder of Wild Bill Hickock take place in a gunfight on Main Street. The gunfight goes down at 7:30pm, and then the trial is held afterwards each evening in the nearby Masonic Temple. The grave sites of both Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are located in the town for public viewing as well. There are also numerous gambling halls in Deadwood, including the First Gold Hotel and Gaming, Tin Lizzie Gambling and Hall, Gold Dust Gambling Hall and Restaurant, and many more.
From the historic attractions and museums to re-enactments and gambling halls, a trip to Deadwood can be a full day event. Make plans to enjoy a day trip to Deadwood on your trip to the Mount Rushmore area!
